Thanks again for inspiring me to make this poll. Please, when you make your argument post stats and facts not that this player doesn't like Tmac or Yao makes him a worse player for some reason.
Nice thread, but I wish there were more choices. Sam Cassell actually split the duty with Kenny Smith. Sleepy Floyd make Joe Barely Cares a superstar in Golden State but was the dude when they came here. Is Rafer more effective than Matt Maloney? I think that maybe MM was more efficient from behind the arc and a more consistant player but because of his contract he is regarded as a huge underachiever. Kenny Smith I guess is the player that is most like Rafer but I here are my opinions of some others. Rafer < Sleepy Floyd Rafer < Sam Cassell Rafer = Matt Maloney
Vassilis Spanoulis 20% 3 pointers Assists 1.1 Turnovers 1 Vassilis Spanoulis - complains about playing time with Rafer Alston and John Lucas Jr ahead of him Kenny Smith - complained about playing time with SAM CASSELL splitting time with him
I made these choices specifically because some Clutchfans have some false information about Kenny Smith's playing skills. basketball references (Based on STATS yes.. STATS) http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithke01.html Most Similar Season 1988. Kirk Hinrich, 2004 (966) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1989. Kirk Hinrich, 2006 (954) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1990. Rory Sparrow, 1983 (958) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1991. Steve Nash, 2001 (961) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1992. Sleepy Floyd, 1989 (961) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1993. John Roche, 1980 (942) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1994. Joe Dumars, 1999 (967) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1995. Antonio Daniels, 2001 (949) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1996. Steve Blake, 2006 (960) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
I took Rafer from that infamous list because KillyBilly hasn't yet donned a uni in significant rotation and Kenny was nadless. Totally. He could nail the 3 when he hotted up but Sammy (and Scottie before him) finished games. IMO Rafe needs to learn where and how he is most successful on the court and play strictly to his strengths. If he could then he could be the Rox answer at the 1. IMO Rafe also needs to have his time limited to 30, maybe 32 minutes, max. (Kenny was 24 mpg/VSpan 24mpy.)
Kenny Smith jacked up 9 3pointers vs Orlando. No hesistation. There's a reason why Billy has not played. JVG is playing Luther and Lucas, so that dispells that he doesn't like young players. Kenny played with Michael Jordan in college and Dream in the NBA. He can outshoot both of the Rocket PGs in his sleep.
kenny fits a system with a big man where he needs to be a spot up shooter. Play to a players strengths and they will perform!
If Tmac is healthy then all the Rox need from the PG is consistent shooting, solid defense, and calm ball handling. Thats it. Kenny in his prime would be an upgrade.
For his whole career Kenny shot 48% overall, 399% from 3., and 84% FT. That efficiency would be amazing for our team right now. He was an average assist man and his defense was pathetic, but you have to take him over the other two.
Any PG in that system was restrained to low APG. But ya... You are probably right. Court vision wasnt anything to be thrilled about.
Oh, I agree - his numbers went down as he joined the Rockets and the system came into place (I am also considering his per 40 min #s because his minutes also went down when with the Rockets). Even when he averaged 7.7 in Sac-town he wasn't really seen as a "true point" as his vision and passing skills were about average for a starting NBA point. I should add - people also forget that Kenny was pretty fast and could run the break well (dish or finish). Also, he had hops as evidenced by his dunk contest moments.
Kenny for sure. Kenny wasn't great, but he could nail the three with his line drive shot and the results of his efforts speak for themselves. I don't like him as a commentator, but he'll always have my respect for the 2 championship runs. (WHERE IS CARL HERERRA?????)
tinman, you are very selective. I'm no Kenny Smith fan but obviously he's way better than Rafer or V-Span. I don't understand why you left Sam out.
3PO, i did this on purpose. with the extreme overhype of Vspan, the non stop Rafer talk and the sudden Kenny hate turning into false recollections of his playing days.
Which is how he played most of the time. Kenny was worthless when his 3 wasn't falling. Worthless. Sorry, no revisionist feekibs for Kenny because Rafer is...well, Rafer. That is not to forget that KS was a good guy and, when on, could stroke it. But there was a reason Scottie and Sammy played the 4Qs.
